Bombardier Transportation named as the preferred bidder

Rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation has been named as the preferred bidder for a major rolling stock order to be produced for the United Kingdom’s Department of Transport.

The £1bn contract as part of 'the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era' and it will see 660 new carriages built from the Bombardier factory in Derby. The announcement is part of a £1.4bn boost to rail services for passengers across East Anglia, announced by the Department for Transport.

The UK government announced it has awarded the East Anglia franchise to Abellio East Anglia, who will operate the franchise starting October 2016. The franchise includes rolling stock and Abellio has selected Bombardier to supply British-built carriages. The contract is expected to be finalised within the next few weeks.

Richard Hunter, UK Managing Director at Bombardier Transportation said, “Being named preferred bidder for this significant order is a fantastic endorsement of our workforce and the quality of the products we design, engineer and manufacture here in the UK and will ensure a stable, long-term workload for our staff here in Derby. Our modern AVENTRA trains will provide passengers with greater connectivity, reliability and shorter journey times.”